Caster Semenya goes into hiding after IAAF test leak

The 800m women's world champion Caster Semenya has gone into hiding in her native South Africa and is said to be receiving psychological counselling. This follows the widely reported claims that tests organised by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) prove that she is in fact a hermaphrodite.

The 18-year-old had been lined up to appear in a 4km cross-country race in Pretoria on Saturday, but the teenager withdrew from the event as a result of the stress and trauma she is suffering. A spokeswoman for the South African athletics association, which has backed Semenya throughout the recent controversy, confirmed that the runner was undergoing treatment but that she was not in a suicidal frame of mind.

"She has not mentioned suicide. She is an extremely strong and determined young woman. But the past few days have been extremely difficult," said Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane of Athletics South Africa. "The latest claim" - that Semenya is a hermaphrodite - "is so huge that the issue is now bigger than we can cope with. All we can do is help Caster."

Mlangeni-Tsholetsane went on: "She is receiving trauma counselling. Every day she meets with psychologists who are trying to help her through what is happening around her. We are concerned for her wellbeing.''

The IAAF tests were leaked last week to the Sydney Morning Herald. They allegedly show that Semenya's testosterone levels were well above those of a normal woman, and that she possessed both male and female sex organs. The newspaper claimed that "extensive physical examinations" showed Semenya has no ovaries but does possess internal male testes, "which are producing large amounts of testosterone".

South Africa's political establishment has now become embroiled in the row, with President Jacob Zuma reported to be furious at the IAAF for not confirming or denying the Australian story. Zuma's sports minister, the Rev Makhenkesi Stofile, threatened on Friday that the country would go "to the highest levels in contesting a decision'' that banned Semenya, if it came, invoking a "third world war" over her treatment. ·